Apparatus for forming molds for centrifugal casting and centrifugally casting products therein



2,44 ,900 AL CASTING AND OBNTRIFUGALLY CASTING rnonuc'rs 'I'HBRBIN Filed Feb. 18, 1946 4 Shoots-Shoot 1 Sept. 21, 1948. 1. L. JOHNSTON APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOLDS FOR CBNTRIFUG VII--- 4 INVENTOR N .0 T s N H C L N Y O Sept. 21, 1948. L. JOHNSTON 2,449,900

APPARATUS FOR FORIING HOLDS FOR CBNTRIFUGAL CASTING AND CENTRIFUGALLY CASTING PRODUCTS HEREIN Filed Feb. 18, 1946 4 Shoots-Shoat 2 a I ..l I

INVENTOR AL L..JOHNSTON 2,449,900 AS'I'ING p 1948. L. JOHNSTON APPARATUS FOR FORIING OLDS NR CBNTRIFUGAL c AND CBNTRIPUGALLY CASTING PRODUCTS THEREIN Filed Feb. 1a, 1946 4 Shoots-Shed. a

INVENTOR LOYAL L-JOHNSTON Sept. 21, 1948. L. JOHNSTON 2,449,900 Arrm'rus ron FORIING uows ron cElITRIFUGAL-CASTING AND OBNTRIFUGALLY CASTING PRODUCTS THBREIN Filed Feb. 1a, 1946 4 Sheets-Shoot 4 INVENTOR LOYAL L. JOHNSTON Patented Sept. 21, 1948 SEM'ICE .RQQM

APPARATUS FOR FORMING MOLDS FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING AND CENTRIFU- GALLY CASTING PRODUCTS THEREIN Loyal L. Johnston, Zelienople, Pa., assignor to Herman Pneumatic Machine Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application February 18, 1946, Serial No. 648,318

11 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for forming molds for centrifugal casting and centrifugally casting products therein, which is a departure from apparatus heretofore employed and which enables greatly increased production.

The invention will be described for purposes of explanation and illustration as embodied in centrifugal casting apparatus for the casting of pipe, such, for example, as a soil pipe, and as practiced in the formation of molds for the centrifugal casting of such pipe. It is to be understood, however, that the invention has other uses.

I provide centrifugal casting apparatus enabling the rapid and economical manufacture of centrifugally cast products. I preferably employ a flask which is selectively positionable in generally vertical and in generally horizontal position. Desirably the flask is positioned vertically while mold forming material is introduced into it, whereupon it is shifted to horizontal position. The flask is rotated and mold forming material therein is compacted and shaped. I prefer to operate n the mold forming material in the flask successively by means removing a portion of the mold forming material in the flask and providing an opening therein and means compacting and shaping the remaining mold forming material in the flask. The means for removing a portion of the mold 'forming material and providing an opening in such material may, for example, comprise a screw conveyor. The means for compacting and shaping the mold forming material in the flask may comprise a mandrel which is desirably mounted for rotation so that when it is acting on the mold forming material in the flask it will rotate due to frictional engagement therewith. While the mandrel may be driven in its rotary movement it is preferably not driven but rather caused to rotate by frictional engagement with the mold forming material.

The flask is preferably mounted in a support which is movable between a position in which the flask is generally vertical and a position in which the flask is generally horizontal. Desirably the means for rotating the flask is continuously operable for all positions of the flask, i. e., when the flask is in generally vertical position, when it is in generally horizontal position and when it is in any intermediate position. Desirably rotation of the flask is continuous through the period during which it is moved from generally vertical position to generally horizontal position.

The means for removing a portion of the mold forming material in the flask to provide an opening therein and the means for compacting and shaping mold forming material in the flask are preferably mounted so that each thereof may, as desired, be brought into position coaxial with the flask and then advanced thereinto. For example. such means may be mounted on a, carriag operable on a guideway substantially parallel to the axis of the flask when the flask is in generally horizontal position. Such means may be carried by a carrier movable relatively to the carriage transversely of the direction of movement of the carriage.

Means are provided for delivering mold forming material into the flask when the flask is in generally vertical position. Means are also provided for stripping the casting from the flask and loosening and removing mold forming material therefrom.

Novel operating mechanism is provided for the various portions of the apparatus above referred to whereby exceptionally rapid, accurate and economical operation is obtained.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof and a present preferred method of practicing the same proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated a present preferred method of practicing the same, in which Figure l is an elevational view, partly in central vertical cross section, of centrifugal casting apparatus;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end view of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 as viewed from the right hand end thereof, but to enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 looking from the opposite end;

Figure 5 is an end view of the flask and associated mechanism as viewed from the right hand end thereof with reference to Figure 1, but to enlarged scale and partly in vertical transverse cross section Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view to enlarged scale of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1 showing a section of pipe as cast in the mold;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of centrifugal casting apparatus; and

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse cross sectional view taken on the line VIIIVIII of Figure 7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is provided a base or frame 2 having parallel spaced upward projections 3 carrying coaxialgearings 4 and 5. Journaled in the bearing 4 is a trunnion 6. Keyed to the trunnion 6 is an arm 1 whose outer end is pivoted at 8 to a piston rod 9 connected with a piston in a cylinder Ill pivotally mounted at H in brackets 12. The piston in the cylinder i is operated by any suitable fluid under pressure. Movement of the piston in the cylinder swings the arm 1 about the axis of the trunnion 6, and since the arm is keyed to the trunnion this results in turning of the trunnion 6 in the bearing 4.

The bearing carries a bearing sleeve I3 which is longer than the bearing, extending inwardly relatively thereto, or toward the bearing 4. Journaled in the sleeve 13 is a shaft l4 connected through a. gear reducer l5 and a coupling 16 to an electric motor [1 which drives the shaft l4. Another shaft I4a coaxial with the shaft l4 but projecting from the opposite end of the motor I1 and driven by the motor may drive another unit similar to that shown.

The trunnion 6 extends inwardly from the bearing 4. Mounted upon the inward extension of the trunnion 6 and the portion of the sleeve 13 which projects inwardly from the bearing 5 are legs [8 of a support I9 in which is rotatably mounted a. flask 20. The inward projection of the trunnion 6 is keyed to one of the legs l8. Thus operation of the piston in the cylinder It] causes the support I9 to turn between a position in which the flask 20 is generally horizontal, as shown in solid lines in Figure 1, and a position in which the flask is generally vertical, as shown in chain lines in Figure 1. When the support 19 is in the solid line position its left hand end seats upon a portion of the frame 2. When the support is in the chain line position its lower end seats upon a base 2|.

Keyed to the inner end of the shaft i4 is a bevel pinion 22. Journaled in downward extensions 23 of the support I9 is a shaft 24 whose axis is parallel to the axis of the flask 20 and to one end of which is keyed a bevel pinion 25 meshing with the bevel pinion 22. Also keyed to the shaft 24 is a pulley 26. Mounted upon the flask 20 is a pulley 21 which is coplanar with the pulley 26. V-belts 28 extend about the pulleys 26 and 21 so that when the shaft 24 turns the flask 20 is rotated. Since the drive for the shaft 24 is coaxial with the trunnion 6 and the bearing sleeve l3 the shaft 24 may be driven in any angular position of the support 19 and, indeed, may be driven during turning of the support l9 between its respective positions. Consequently, it is possible to rotate the flask 20 at all times-when it is in the vertical position, when it is in the horizontal position and when it is in any intermediate position.

The flask 20 is mounted for rotation in bearings29 in the support I9 and has radial fins 30 for the dissipation of heat. The flask is substantially cylindrical externally but is tapered internally from relatively small diameter at its left hand or upper end to relatively large diameter at its right hand or lower end, viewing the solid line and chain line showings of Figure 1. This is to facilitate stripping of the pipe cast in the mold formed in the flask and to facilitate removal of the used mold forming material (e. g. sand) from the flask.

Mounted above the flask is an overhead trackway 3| along which are adapted to roll trucks 32 and 33. A longitudinally extending bar 34 is connected with both of the trucks 32 and 33 so that the trucks are always spaced the same distance apart and move in unison. The bar 34 is connected at 35 with a, piston rod 36 of a piston operating in a cylinder 31. The truck 32 carries a receptacle 38 for receiving mold forming material from a container or bin 39. The bin 39 has an opening 40 in its bottom. Connected with the receptacle 38 is a horizontally extending closure plate 4| whose function is to close the opening 40 at all times except when the receptacle 38 is positioned directly below it, at which time mold forming material is delivered through the opening 40 into the receptacle 38. 'The truck 33 carries a vertical cylinder 42 within which operates a piston having a piston rod to which is connected at its lower end a device 43 for stripping the cast pipe from the mold and for assisting in discharging the used mold forming material from the flask.

When the piston in the cylinder 31 is at the left hand end of its stroke, viewing Figure 1, and as the parts are shown in that figure, the receptacle 38 is directly above the flask 20 when the flask is in its upright position. The receptacle has pivoted closure means 44 of clam shell type at its lower end which are operable to permit discharge from the receptacle by gravity of the mold forming material therein which has been received from the bin 39. When the piston in the cylinder 31 is at the right hand end of its stroke the receptacle 38 is positioned directly beneath the opening 40 and the stripper 43 is positioned coaxially with the flask when the latter is in its vertical position.

The frame 2 ha a generally horizontal extension 45 which carries a guideway 46 which is parallel with the axis of the flask 20 when the flask is in its generally horizontal position as shown in solid lines in Figure l. Mounted for travel along the guideway 46 is a carriage 41. Fixedly mounted on the guideway and extending longitudinally thereof is a downwardly facing rack 48. Mounted on the carriage 41 is an electric motor 49 having a shaft 50 to which is keyed a pinion 5| meshing with the rack 48. Travel of the carriage 41 along the guideway is effected by operation of the motor 49 which turn the pinion 5|. Since the pinion 5| meshes with the stationary rack 48 it causes the carriage 41 to move along the guideway. The motor 49 may have any suitable control mechanism; limit switches 5la shown purely diagrammatically in Figure 1 may be provided for stopping the motor to prevent overtravel of the carriage 41 in its respective directions of movement.

Mounted upon the carriage 41 for movement relatively thereto transversely of the direction of movement of the carriage along the guideway is a carrier 52. The carrier 52 has a dovetail connection 53 with the carriage 41 which permits movement of the carrier relatively to the carriage in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the plane of the paper viewing Figure 1. The carriage 41 has fastened thereto a bracket 54 to which is connected a cylinder 55 in which operates a piston having a piston rod 56 connected at 51 with a bracket 58 attached to the carrier 52. Thus movement of the piston in the cylinder 55 causes travel of the carrier 52 relatively to the carriage 41.

Mounted on the carrier 52 are two generally parallel devices for operating upon mold forming material in the flask 20. These devices are a device 59 for removing a portion of the mold SEARCH R forming material in the flask and providing an opening therein and a device 68 for compacting an aping the mold forming material in the flask. The device 59 comprises a tube 6| in which operates a screw conveyor 62. The screw conveyor 62 is rotated by a shaft 63 carrying pulley 64. Mounted on the carrier 52 is an electric motor 65 whose shaft 66 carries a pulley 61. V- belts 68 are trained about the pulleys 64 and 61 and provide a drive for the shaft 63 and consequently the screw conveyor 62. The conveyor turns in a direction to move mold forming material from left to right, viewing Figure 2, an opening 69 being provided in the tube 8| for passage of mold forming material into the tube and an opening 69a being provided in the tube for discharge of mold forming material therefrom. A sweep 68b roughly shapes the enlarged end of the mold where the bell of the pipe is to be cast, the mold forming material intercepted by the sweep entering the tube 6| through the opening 68. Bracing webs 69c aid in supporting the tube 6|, compensating for the weakening effect of the openings 69 and 69a. The tube 6| is open at its unsupported or left hand end, viewing Figure 2.

The device 60 is a mandrel which is rotatably carried upon a bearing shaft 18. While the mandrel may be driven it is preferably mounted for rotation through frictional engagement with the mold being formed. The devices 58 and 60 are parallel to each other and parallel to the guideway 46, thereby being adapted upon movement of the carriage 41 along the guideway to enter the flask 28.

Mounted for rectilinear movement upon the frame 2 is a slide 1| carrying an upstanding guide 12 having therein a guide opening I3. The slide H is connected at 14 with a piston rod 15 connected with a piston in a cylinder 16 mounted on the frame. The opening 13 is adapted to be aligned with the mandrel 68, the mandrel shaft 10 having a reduced extremity 11 at its forward end adapted when the mandrel has been inserted into the flask to enter the opening 13 whereby the free end of the mandrel is supported and guided. The slide H is adapted to be moved to position the guide I2 in a laterally offset outof-the-wayposition when material (e. g., molten metal) to be cast is introduced into the mold. Such movement of the slide is effected by movement of the piston in the cylinder I6 downwardly viewing Figure 2.

The frame carries brackets 18 having bearings 18 at their outer ends, and a shaft 88 is journaled for rotation in the bearings. Mounted in the frame is a cylinder 8| containing a piston with which is connected a piston rod 82. The piston rod 82 is connected by a pin 83 with an arm 84 fixed to the shaft 80. Hence movement of the piston and the cylinder 8| causes turning of the shaft 80 through a small angle. The pin connection 83 between the piston rod 82 and the arm 84 may provide for some lost motion to allow for the change in elevation of the lower end of the arm 84 during operation. Fixed to the shaft 80 are two upwardly projecting arms 85 and 86. Each of these arms has in its upper extremity a generally horizontally arranged bolt 81 held in adjustably fixed position by nuts 88.

When the piston in the cylinder 8| is at the right hand end of its stroke, viewing Figure 4, the upper extremities of arms 85 and 86 are in their extreme outward (i. e., left hand) positions. The nuts 88 are adjusted so that when the arms and 86 are in their extreme outward positions, as shown in Figure 4, the noses of the bolts are slightly spaced from the slide 1| and the carrier 52, respectively, when the carriage 41 and the carrier 52 are in the chain line position of Figure 2 and the slide and the carrier are positioned (by the pistons in the respective cylinders 16 and 55 being at the extreme upper ends of their strokes, viewing Figure 2) so that the guide opening 13 and the mandrel 60 are coaxial with the flask 20 when the flask is in its horizontal position. The bolt carried by the arm 86 can engage the carrier 52 only when the carriage 41 i in its advanced position, i. e., the chain line position of Figure 2. But the carrier 52 is positioned so that the mandrel 60 is coaxial with the flask 28 when the piston in the cylinder 55 is at the extreme upper end of its stroke, viewing Figure 2, the flask then being in its horizontal or solid line position. The function of the shaft 88 and its associated mechanism i to position the carrier 52 and the slide II in the downward direction, viewing Figure 2, in such manner that the mandrel 60 and the guide opening 13 remain coaxial with each other, but to move the mandrel to a position somewhat eccentric to the flask 20 so that the mandrel will compact and shape the mold forming material in the flask to form a cylindrical mold of desired diameter. During the compacting and shaping action the mandrel will turn due to its frictional contact with the mold being formed. The extent of the movement given the slide II and the carrier 52 by turning of the shaft 88 depends upon the distance which the piston in the cylinder 8| moves. This distance may be determined by the operator through a gauge connected with the piston rod, or a stop 84a may be provided cooperating with the arm 84, the stop being adjustable to limit turning movement of the arm 84 in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 4, to the extent necessary to cause the desired amplitude of movement of the mandrel and guide eccentrically of the flask.

The mandrel 60 is of somewhat smaller diameter than the tube 6|. When the tube 6| is inserted into the flask it removes a portion of the mold forming material therein and provides an opening axially of the flask. When the piston in the cylinder 55 is in its extreme lower position, viewing Figure 2, the tube 6| is disposed axially of the flask. After the conveyor has removed a portion of the mold forming material in the flask and provided an opening therein the mandrel is moved axially into the opening, and after the mandrel is in place with the shaft extremity 11 within the guide opening 18 it is moved eccentrically of the flask to the extent necessary to produce a cylindrical mold of the desired diameter.

At its supported end the mandrel 60 is enlarged as shown at 88 to form the enlarged end of the mold where the bell of the pipe is to be cast and the mandrel also has a stop plate 88a in the form of a radial flange whose diameter is somewhat greater than the internal diameter of the flask 20 at its right hand end viewing the solid line showing of Figure 1. The stop plate 88a is faced at its left hand face viewing Figure 1 with bearing material and when the mandrel is in operative position within the flask and mold the stop plate bears against the end of the flask. The mandrel has an enlargement I86 which forms a corresponding recess in the mold to form the spigot end of the cast pipe section. After the mandrel has been withdrawn from the mold a core is inserted, the core being shown in Figure 6 and designated 90. The core i fitted into the moldnsk the complementary conical surfaces 9| of the core and mold, the forward portion 92 of the core being shaped to cooperate with the mold and spaced from the mold so that when the material being cast is introduced it will flow into the cavity 93 between the mold and the core to form the bell of the pipe.

There is provided a slide 94 operable in a slot 95 in the support 19 and which is movable to three positions to perform three different functions. The slide has an imperforate portion adapted to entirely close the end of the flask, a core holding portion shown in cross section in Figure 6 adapted to hold the core in place while permitting venting thereof and another portion having a large opening substantially greater than the diameter of the plate 89a. When the flask is to be filled with mold forming material the imperforate portion of the slide 94 is positioned over the end of the flask. When the core is to be held in place the core holding portion is positioned over the end of the flask. The core holding portion has a central venting opening 96 permitting venting of the core. When the devices 59 and 60 are in operation and when the cast pipe is to be removed from the flask and the used mold forming material is to be expelled the slide 94 is moved to its third position which leaves the end of the flask open and unobstructed.

Means are provided for maintaining the slide 94 in each of its three positions. The slide has in its upper edge three similar drilled openings 91 respectively cooperable with a latch pin 98 to hold the slide in its respective positions. The frame has an extension 99 having an opening I for guiding the pin 98. Connected with the extension is a bracket having an opening I02 through which the pin 98 passes, the head I03 of the pin normally resting on top of the bracket IN. A collar I04 is fixed to the pin 98 and a compression coil spring I05 is interposed between the bracket l0! and the collar I04. Thus the spring urges the pin downwardly, but the pin may be drawn upwardly against the action of the spring to remove it from each of the openings 91 in the slide 94. When it is desired to move the slide 94 from one position to another the pin 98 is raised out of the opening 01 in which it "has been positioned, the slide is moved to its new position and the pin is allowed to enter the opening 91 positioning the slide in its new position, the pin being maintained in operative position by the spring I05.

I shall now describe a complete cycle according to my invention and illustrate the operation of the apparatus. The flask being entirely empty, the slide 94 is moved to the position in which its imperforate portion closes the end of the flask.. The flask is disposed in its vertical position as shown in chain lines in Figure 1. The receptacle 38 with a measured amount of mole forming material therein (preferably an amoun suificient to fill the flask) which has been received from the bin 39 through the opening 40 is positioned above the flask in the position shown in Figure l, and the mold forming material is discharged from the receptacle 38 into the flask, this being accomplished by raising the clam shell closure means 44. Rotation of the flask is commenced either before or during or immediately following the delivery of the mold forming material thereinto. While the flask continues to rotate it is turned from its vertical position as shown in chain lines in Figure 1 to its horizontal position as shown in solid lines in Figure 1. While rotation of the flask continues the slide 94 is moved to the position in which the end of the flask is rendered completely open. The carrier 52 is .then moved to position the tube 6| axially of the flask and with the conveyor 62 operating the carriage 41 is advanced toward the left, viewing Figures 1 and 2, to move the tube 6| with the conveyor 62 turning therewithin into the flask to remove a portion of the mold forming material in the flask and provide an opening therein. The operation is rapid, the carriage 41 being moved to the left until the conveyor has completely penetrated the flask, whereupon the carriage is moved back to the position in which the conveyor is disposed entirely outside of the mold. The carrier 52 is then moved to position the mandrel 60 coaxially of the mold. Then the carriage 41 is again advanced, the mandrel 60 entering the opening in the mold which had previously been made by the conveyor. After the mandrel has been advanced so that the shaft extremity 11 is positioned within the opening I3 the mandrel is moved eccentrically by operation of the piston in the cylinder 8| as above described to compact and shape the mold forming material in the flask. After the mold forming material has been compacted and shaped the mandrel is returned to its coaxial position relatively to the flask, when it is withdrawn. Thereupon the core is inserted and the slide 94 is moved to its core holding position as shown at Figure 6. The slide H is drawn downwardly, viewing Figure 2, to position the guide 12 out of the way, and molten metal is introduced into the rotating mold through a pouring spout indicated in Figure 1 in chain lines at 13a to cast a length of pipe. A cast length of pipe is shown at I01 in Figure 6.

After the molten metal has solidified the flask is turned to its vertical position, the piston in the cylinder 31 is moved to the right hand end of its stroke to position the cylinder 42 coaxially with the flask, and the piston in the cylinder 42 is moved downwardly to strip the cast pipe from the mold and eject the used mold forming material to clean out the flask for the succeeding operation. When the cylinder 42 is disposed above and in axial alignment with the vertically positioned flask the receptacle 38 is positioned beneath the opening 40 of the bin 39, whereby to uncover that opening and allow mold forming material to be delivered by gravity into the receptacle 38. When the receptacle 38 is next moved to the left, viewing Figure 1, into position to deliver the mold forming material into the flask the plate 4! closes the opening 40 and maintains that opening closed until the succeeding cycle of operations.

Figures 7 and 8 show a modified form of structure. In the modified structure the motor for rotating the flask is mounted on the flask support, eliminating the bevel gear drive of the structure of Figures 1 to 6, inclusive. In Figures 7 and 8 parts corresponding to parts shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, are designated by the same reference numerals but each having a prime aflixed. The base or frame 2' has parallel spaced upward projections 3' carrying coaxial bearings 4' and 5'. Journaled in the bearings 4 and 5' is a trunnion shaft 6. Keyed to the trunnion shaft 6' at approximately its midpoint is an arm 1' whose outer end is pivoted at 8' to a piston rod 9' connected with a piston in a cylinder 10' pivotally mounted at I in brackets l2. The piston in the cylinder [0' is operated by any suitable fluid under pressure. Movement of the piston in the cylinder swings the arm 1' about the axis of the trunnion shaft ,5. and since the arm is keyed to the trunniorfshaft this results in turning the trunnion shaft 6 in the bearings 4' and 5'.

Keyed to the trunnion shaft 6', one between the bearing 4' and the arm I and the other between the bearing 5' and the arm 1, are legs I8 of a support I9 in which is rotatably mounted a flask 20'. Operation of the piston in the cylinder Ill causes the support i9 to turn between a position in which the flask 20' is generally horizontal, as shown in solid lines in Figure 7, and a position in which the flask is generally vertical, as shown in dash lines in Figure 7. When the support i9 is in the solid line position its left hand end seats upon a portion of the frame 2'. When the support is in the dash line position its lower end seats upon a base 2|.

Mounted on the support I9 is a bracket I08 carrying an electric motor I 1' whose shaft i4 is parallel to the axis of the flask 20'. Keyed to the motor shaft I4 is a pulley 26. Mounted upon the flask 20' is a pulley 21' which is coplanar with the pulley 26'. V-belts 28' extend about the pulleys 26' and 21' so that when the motor I1 is in operation the flask 20 is rotated. Since the means for rotating the flask is mounted on the support which carries the flask, the flask may be rotated at all times, when it is in the vertical position, when it is in the horizontal position, and when it is in any intermediate position, as well as when it is moving about the axis of the trunnion shaft 6 from one position to another.

The flask 20' is mounted for rotation in bearings 29' in the support l9 and has radial fins 30' for the dissipation of heat. The flask may to all intents and purposes be the same as the flask 20 of the form of structure shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive.

The frame 2' has a generally horizontal extension 45' which carries a guideway 46' which is parallel with the axis of the flask 20' when the flask is in its generally horizontal position as shown in solid lines in Figure '7. Mounted for travel along the guideway 46' is a carriage which may to all intents and purposes be the same as the carriage 41, and the carriage may carry a carrier and associated mechanism which may to all intents and purposes be the same as the carrier 52 and associated mechanism.

Mounted for rectilinear movement upon the frame 2' is a slide H carrying an upstanding guide 12' having therein a guide opening 13'. The slide 1| is maintained in position and guided for movement transversely of the frame by guides I09. The slide H is connected through a downward projection H0 with a piston rod connected with a piston in a cylinder I6 mounted in the frame. The opening 13' is adapted to be aligned with a mandrel and functions in the same manner as the opening 13 of Figures 1 and 2.

The remainder of the operating mechanism may be similar to that of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, elements 18' to 84', inclusive, being analogous to elements 18 to 84, inclusive, of the flrst described structure. In Figures 7 and 8 portions of the operating mechanism are omitted to aid in clarity of disclosure of the portions shown.

The flask support is provided with a slot 95' in which a slide similar to the slide 94 may be operated. The slide may be maintained in its various positions by a latch pin I03.

The general operation of the structure of Fi ures 7 and 8 is the same as that of the structure of Figures 1 to 6, inclusive.

In my divisional application Serial No. 41,421, filed July 29, 1948, there are claimed certain features of the method herein disclosed.

While I have shown and described certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and a present preferred method of practicing the same, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask having openings at its opposite ends and having an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means operatively connected with the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, mold forming material measuring means mounted in position outside the flask for delivering to the rotating flask and distributing about the inner wall of the flask a measured quantity of mold forming material, compacting mechanism, means for moving the compacting mechanism into the flask along the axis of the flask, the compacting mechanism protruding through the open ends of the flask when in position therein, supporting members outside the respective ends of the flask and, when the compacting mechanism is moved into the flask, disposed in the axis of the flask for supporting the compacting mechanism and means for relatively moving transversely of the axis of the flask the flask and said supporting members to dispose the compacting mechanism in an eccentrio position in the flask to compact the mold forming material as the flask rotates to form a cylindrical mold having desired diameter.

2. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask having openings at its opposite ends and having an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means operatively connected with the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, means mounted in position outside the flask for introducing mold forming material into the flask and, as introduced, disposing it in contact with the inside of the flask throughout substantially the entire circumference thereof while the flask is circumferentially closed, compacting mechanism, means for moving the compacting mechanism into the flask along the axis of the flask, the compacting mechanism protruding through the open ends of the flask when in position therein, supporting members outside the respective ends of the flask and, when the compacting mechanism is moved into the flask, disposed in the axis of the flask for supporting the compacting mechanism and means for relatively moving transversely of the axis of the flask the flask and said supporting members to dispose the compacting mechanism in an eccentric position in the flask to compact the mold forming material as the flask rotates to form a cylindrical mold having desired diameter.

3. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask having openings at its opposite ends and having an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means operatively connected with the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, means mounted in position outside the flask for introducing mold forming material into the flask to flll substantially all the unoccupied space within the flask, compacting mechanism, means for moving the compacting mechanism into the flask along the axis of the flask, the compacting mechanism protruding ARCH BQON 2,449,900 11 12 through the open ends of the flask when in poslan axis about which it is rotatable, a pivotal suption therein, supporting members outside the report for the flask upon which the flask is mounted spectimfinds of the flask and, when the compactfor pivotal movement about an axis generally ing mechanism is moved into the flask, disposed transverse of the axis about which the flask is roin the axis of the flask for supporting the comtatable, means for pivotally moving the flask on pacting mechanism and means for relatively movsaid pivotal support, means for introducing mold ing transversely of the axis of the flask the flask forming material into the flask through an end and said supporting members to dispose the comthereof, driving means operatively connected with pacting mechanism in an eccentric position in the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, comthe flask to compact the mold forming material pacting mechanism, means for moving the comas the flask rotates to form a cylindrical mold pacting mechanism into the flask along the axis having desired diameter. of the flask, the compacting mechanism protrud- 4. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask ing through the open ends of the flask when in having openings at its opposite ends and having position therein, supporting members outside the an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means 15 ends of the flask and when the compacting mechoperatively connected with the flask to rotate 'anism is moved into the flask disposed in the axis the flask about its axis, means mounted in posiof the flask for supporting the compacting mechtion outside an end of the flask for introducing anism, means for relatively moving transversely mold forming material into the flask and, as inof the axis of the flask the flask and said supporttroduced, disposing it in contact with the inside ing members to dispose the compacting mechaof the flask throughout substantially the entire nism in an eccentric position in the flask to comcircumference thereof while the flask is circumpact the mold forming material as the flask roferentially closed, compacting mechanism, means tates to form a cylindrical mold having desired for moving the compacting mechanism into the diameter, the opening at the end of the flask opflask along the axis of the flask, the compacting posite said first mentioned end being of such size mechanism protruding through the open ends of that an article centrifugally cast in the flask may the flask when in position therein, supporting be discharged from the flask therethrough.

members outside the respective ends of the flask 7. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask and, when the compacting mechanism is moved having openings at its opposite ends and havinto the flask, disposed in the axis of the flask ing an axis about which it is rotatable, driving for supporting the compacting mechanism, means operatively connected with the flask to means for relatively moving transversely of the rotate the flask about its axis, mold forming axis of the flask the flask and said supporting material measuring mean mounted in position members to dispose the compacting mechanism outside the flask for introducing a measured in an eccentric position in the flask to compact q an i y of m l f min rial into the flask the mold forming material as the flask rotates o h t th m ld f min erial as it is bein to form a cylindrical mold having desired diamec n the s s po ed in contact with eter and means for ejecting the mold after s the inside of the flask throughout substantially through the end of the flask opposite said first t entire circumference thereof, compacting mentioned end, mechanism, means for moving the compacting 5. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask mechanism into the flask along the axis of the having openings at its opposite ends and having fl the Compacting mechanism p ot d an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means o h the open ends of the flask when in posioperatively connected with the flask to rotate the tion t erein, supporting members outside the flask about its axis, a pivotal support for the 5 respective ends of the flask and when the comflask, means for angularly displacing the flask pasting mechanism is moved into the flask disas a unit on the pivotal support between a, genposed in the axis of the flask for supp t g the erally vertical position and a generally horizoncompacting m h nism d m ns r l t v ly tal position, means mounted generally above the moving transversely of the axis of the flask the flask when in generally vertical position for inflask and said supporting members to dispose troducing mold forming material into the upper the compacting mechanism in an eccentric posiend of the flask while the flask is in that position, tion in the flask to compact the mold forming compacting mechanism, means for moving th material as the flask rotates to form a cylincompacting mechanism into the flask along ric l ld having e i e diameter, a pivotal the axis of the flask, the compacting mechanism pport 01 t e as nd means fOr angularly protruding through the open ends of the flask displacing the flask as a unit on the pivotal supwhen in position therein, supporting members P outside the respective ends of the flask and, when In a Ce fu Casting pp us. a fla the compacting mechanism is moved into the having penings at its ppos t e s d having flask, disposed in the axis of the flask for sup- 0 an axis about which it is rotatable, a pivotal porting the compacting mechanism, means for support for the flask on which the flask is movrelatively moving transversely of the axis of the able between a generally vertical position and a flask the flask and said supporting members to generally horizontal position, means for introdispose the compacting mechanism in an eccenducing mold forming material into one of said tric position in the flask to compact the mold open ends while the flask is in generally vertical forming material as the flask rotates to form a position, driving means operatively connected cylindrical mold having desired diameter, means with the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, for irrgrochigng'moltenmaterifl-inmmm compacting mechanism, means for moving the u 11 u n' a um compacting mechanism into the flask through means for ejecting the hollow article thro uElTMthe other of said open ends and along the axis bottom of the flask when the flask is in genof the flask, means for relatively moving transerally vertical position with said first mentioned versely of the axis of the flask the flask and said end thereof disposed upwardly. compacting mechanism to dispose the compacting 6. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask mechanism in an eccentric position in the flask having openings at its opposite ends and having to compact the mold forming material as the flask rotates to form a cylindrical mold having desired-diameter, means for introducing molten material into said first mentioned end of the flask while the flask is in its generally horizontal position and is being rotated on its axis to centrifugally cast therein a hollow article and means permitting ejection of the hollow article through the second mentioned open end of the flask when the flask is in its generally vertical position.

9. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask having openings at its opposite ends and having an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means operatively connected with the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, means mounted in position outside the flask for introducing mold forming material into the flask and, as introduced, disposing it in contact with the inside of the flask throughout substantially the entire circumference thereof while the flask is circumferentially closed, means for compacting the mold forming material in the flask upon rotation of the flask, a carrier upon which the compacting means is mounted, supporting and guiding means for the carrier arranged transversely of the axis of the flask to support and guide the carrier for linear movement to positions at different distances from the axis of rotation of the flask whereby the compacting means may be moved into and out of compacting relationship with the mold forming material in the flask and means limitin movement of the compacting means in the direction in which it moves into compacting relationship with the mold forming material in the flask whereby the radial dimension of the mold may be controlled.

10. In a. centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask having openings at its opposite ends and having an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means operatively connected with the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, means mounted in position outside the flask for introducing mold forming material into the flask and, as introduced, disposing it in contact with the inside of the flask throughout substantiall the entire circumference thereof while the flask is circumferentially closed, means for compacting the mold forming material in the flask upon rotation of the flask, a guideway extending generall parallel to the axis of rotation of the flask, a carriage movable along the guideway, a carrier on the carriage, the compacting means being mounted on the carrier so that upon advance of the carriage along the guideway the compacting means enters the flask, supporting and guiding means for the carrier disposed on the carriage and arranged transversely of the axis of the flask to support and guide the carrier for linear movement to positions at diflerent distances from the axis of rotation of the flask whereby the compacting means may be moved into and out of compacting relationship with the mold forming material in the flask and means limiting movement of the compacting means in the direction in which it moves into compacting relationship with the mold forming material in the flask whereby the radial dimension of the mold may be controlled.

11. In a centrifugal casting apparatus, a flask having openings at its opposite ends and having an axis about which it is rotatable, driving means operatively connected with the flask to rotate the flask about its axis, means for introducing mold forming material into the flask through an end thereof, compacting mechanism, means for moving the compacting mechanism into the flask along the axis of the flask, means for relatively moving transversely of the axis of the flask the flask and said compacting mechanism to dispose the compacting mechanism in an eccentric position in the flask to compact the mold forming material as the flask rotates to form a cylindrical mold having desired diameter, and means disposed opposite each end of the flask in axial alignment with the mold forming material in the flask to maintain the mold forming material in place. such means at at least one end of the flask being mounted separately from the flask so that the flask rotates relatively thereto.

LOYAL L. JOHNSTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,134,398 McCarte Apr. 6, 1915 1,504,497 Perry Aug. 12, 1924 1,573,566 Nichols Feb. 16, 1926 1,583,576 Coburn May 4, 1926 1,745,424 Hulme Feb. 4, 1930 1,939,885 Farmer Dec. 19, 1933 1,942,919 Eurich et al Jan. 19, 1934 1,960,366 Barr et al May 29, 1934 2,019,937 Staples Nov. 5, 1935 2,030,105 Eurich et al Feb. 11, 1936 2,095,573 Ricley et al Oct. 12, 1937 2,109,922 LeJeune Mar. 1, 1938 2,193,537 Nelson Mar. 12, 1940 2,225,036 Corbin Dec. 17, 1940 2,340,262 Crawford Jan. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 228,520 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1925 688,270 France May 12, 1930 847.126 France June 26, 1939 

